Hanover_Yakker

x2 on what was just said - for me I have used a St. Croix MojoBass Wackey Style rod (6'8"MXF but really leans towards more of a MH IMHO), but now I use a Shimano Clarus Worm n Jig model I got form BPS for $80. It's a 7'2" Medium Extra Fast rod with a split grip and large amounts of exposed IM9 blank, and I use it know almost exclusively and am very pleased with it. If you wanted to spend a shade over the century mark, then jump on the AVID that is f/s in the Flea Market for $130 - it's a 6'8" MXF and would be perfect.

As a kayak angler, I am constantly looking for ways to consolidate gear and keep my "on-the-water" arsenal to a minimum. This also helps when it is time to pack and leave or store the gear when I get home. With that in mind, a common source for storage options that is often overlooked is a craft store or craft area inside your local wallie world or "red bullseye" big store. The craft based organizers have various sizes and compartments that you can customize. Another good option is to check your local home improvement store's tool or fastener aisles. There are a couple of storage containers inthose spots as well that would serve well to store some items.

I'm considering it.......I have the exact same rod in the casting model that is one of my go-to combos I take every time out. I'm betting the spinning rod would be sick paired with a Stradic or Ci4 2500.....

Looking forward to it - at this point for me, it is all about the timing of the event, because I have a "bun in the oven" on the way and due in late June. Anything in the spring up until late May will most likely be workable, but after that, the dates would need to be "discussed with the spousal unit"

Don't forget that many states have power plants with discharges that have warmer temperatures than regular lakes. I know the warm side of a power plant like I fish has water temps that range from mid 50's to mid 60's during the course of the winter months. I fished there on December 26th last year and landed 21 largemouth including a couple porkers measuring at 21.5", as well as a channel cat tha measured 28" on a jerk shad of all things.

Another body of water that should be considered is Sandy River Reservoir - I personally know of at least 2 - 27" LMBs that were caught and released by DGIF during the spring of 2012 this year. It has a canoe/kayak launch off to the side away from the main two-boat launch with pier. There is also a fishing pier to the opposite side, and portions of the bank away from the launch are used as well for bank fisherman. There is a hp limit on the lake, but it's not what I would consider a major issue, as there is every type of boat configuration and hull type used there. I have fished there for the last 4 years and won the last two kayak tournaments based there this year. There are several deep channels, ledge transitions, coves, submerged timber/laydowns, points, etc. You should consider it, especially since its only 15 minutes away from Briery Creek and is often forgotten. Check it out.... http://www.dgif.virg...play.asp?id=114

I have several as well, including 2 Gen 1 Revo S, 1 Gen 1 Revo Inshore, and the newest member of the family is a Record 60HC for live lining.

Excellent question, as a Hobie Pro Staffer, I can hopefully give you a little additional insight. I personally don't own one yet, but I plan on adding one or both of the PAs to my flotilla soon. The main differences between the 2013 models are: The PA 12 is 30lbs lighter, has two less rod holders, slight decrease in rod length you can store in the rod holders, no rod stagers to keep the rods separated next to your seat, and the front hatch storage is less. The only other difference is that PA12 has a mx capacity of 500lbs. versus the PA14 that has a 600lb. capacity. So, stability and load capacity being "relatively equal", either will suit a person of a larger stature in height or weight perfectly fine. With that being said, the real decision in my opinion comes down to your ability to transport and store the kayak. While most of the differences are negligible to the casual angler, the one difference that I actually find curious is the lack of rod separaters when they are beside your seat. In the PA14, there are molded masts with curvatures cut that will allow your rod butts to lay or stage properly when stored in the horizontal rod holders. In the PA12, they are not present; however, it would not surprise me to see these added in the near future as feedback from the pro staffers filters in to the design team. With that said, the other deciding factor is the kind of water you will be fishing. If you are like me and fish both fresh and salt, then the PA14 is the obvious choice, because the added length will aid in cutting through the breakers on the beach and will facilitate better tracking and kayak speed at normal pedal strokes. If you are mostly fresh water, then the PA12 will probably suit you fine. Hope this helps!

I have had 2 different FFs on my kayaks and will be purchasing my third one later today most likely. My first was an Eagle Cuda 300 for $59 on a price match at BPS. It was a great first FF that helped me loate changes in depths as well as structure. Where I struggled was interpreting the structure and fish when they overlapped, since the unit was the low end b/w model. The higher end Lowrance m68c would have worked best for that given kayak. My most recent install was the Lowrance Elite 5 DSI with the Lowrance Scupper Kit and the YakAttack Screwball Mount and RAM FF mount. It worked beautifully, but was a little too large for where I had it installed, so I sold it a couple weeks ago. My next one will be the Lowrance Elite 4x DSI model. With all of the installs, I used a 12v/7mah sealed (deer-feeder style) battery from Batteries Plus installed in a water proof container of some sort. For me, its about locating baitfish, depth changes and structure - the fish will be there, hence the reason a DSI is more important to me. Especially for when I venture out in the salt water and am live lining for big sheepsheads, tautogs and flounder. Being able to identify ledge systems and rock piles are critical to catching the larger fish.

While it's not your traditional bass boat, it's what I can afford and gets me where I need to go!! Specs: Year: 2012 Make: Hobie Model: Revolution 13 Length: 13' 5" Weight: 59lbs. Add-ons: YakAttack GearTracs, RAM Rod Holders with YakAttack Screwballs, RAM Fishfinder Mount w/ Lowrance quick release ball mount

Great read - I also fish Lake Anna, but primarily on the warm water side. Another lake that I fish has the same scenario with regards to pressure, that being Sandy River Reservoir. It hosts a local Bass Pro style tournament frequently by the local club on top of the consistent pressure of the locals. Every time I have fished it and the bite is "off", I change up my approach and pick apart an area as thoroughly as possible. This approach has paid off twice for me in the past two tournaments I participated in. The first one earned me 1st Place and a free kayak (which my son absolutely loves), and the second one earned me another 1st Place and $500 (which was donated back to the charity that sponsored the tournament).

Glad to finally be here - love the content and the various tidbits of info I have read in the past and watched on YouTube. I know a few members on here but not many local to me. I am a kayak angler for the past 4 years. I am a Pro Staffer for the Hobie Fishing Team and PowerTeam Lures, and I am constantly open to trying new equipment. I fish both fresh and salt water and live for when I can get on the water again and chase that next bite. I am a relative novice when it comes to bass angling with regards to reading and understanding the best approaches on a given body of water, but I learn something new each time out. While i am not a so-called tournament angler, I have won the last two bass tournaments I entered this year. I have a few favorite presentations that I have the most confidence in: shakey head, jig-n-craw, lipless cranks and top water frogs. The techniques I need improvement on are traditional cranks, spinnerbaits, and specific soft plastic presentations like flukes/jerk shads anf larger plastics like 10" power worms. I am not a gear junkie but have a few trusty combos I never leave the house without: a 7'2" Clarus Medium Fast spinning rod paired to a Stradic 3000FJ, a 6'6" Teramar Inshore SE Medium XFast paired with a Sienna 2500, a 7'0 Clarus MH Fast casting rod paired with a Revo Inshore, and a 6'8" St. Croix Avid Medium Fast paired with a Revo S Looking forward to learning and sharing.